[unimogjohn]

Not much going on today.

Ordered the correct size and type battery from Interstate Battery. It will be delivered to the local shop on Thursday, cost around $115.

Also talked to Dave Thibeault in MA. We talked about the carb, and he validated that I had the correct carb, but that it is missing parts. He said that he had the parts and would rebuild the carb next week. We will deliver the carb to him on Wednesday.

We also discussed the supercharger and the condition of mine. He recommended that I change the oil and run it at low speed to see if any noise or play in the assembly. So we will do that after we get the engine running with the rebuilt carb.

Tomorrow have to get parts ready to go to Hershey, but hope to remove the two rad/engine hoses to get ready for their replacements to arrive.

Here are pics of the carb to be rebuilt.

[stude8]

Reading your story with interest, a few notes to consider from my past experience with 4 Avanti's. The battery for your car was called the "3EE" and there are some similar BUT NOT CORRECT HEIGHT types for tractors and lift trucks, check height carefully, if too tall left front hood hinge can short terminals when hood is lowered.

I would remove supercharger belts for the test start operation, the blower internals must be surgically clean before spinning it over, remember the shaft spins 4.6 times engine crankshaft speed and any dirt or debris from previous drive failures will destroy everything beyond repair $$$$. It has an internal piston type oil pump if hung up it will fail rapidly from no lube. Preserve what you have religiously, talk with Jon Myer, Duncan Falls, OH about blower overhaul first 740-674-4897.

Thibeault is the best guy for carb work so you are on the right trail there.

Stude8

[unimogjohn]

Stude8, will do on the start-up and the supercharger. The Interstate Battery is a 3EE-VHD(Commercial) per their specs. I will check clearances. Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it. I did check the oil in the supercharger and it is nice and red, but will drain it out and refill. TX again.

[unimogjohn]

Stud8 and others, at your urging I took off the supercharger and talked to Jon Myer. This afternoon I boxed it up, and it is now off to Jon for a service/rebuild. I feel much better, and I know you all do too.

Heading to Hershey tomorrow and will drop off the carb with Dave T. to be rebuilt. For now I will be just content with cleaning and scrubbing both the engine bay and interior until they both get back.

I did find the serial number of the engine. It is RS1669. The color of the block is Red, the same as the intake. I have no idea as to the significance of the color, was just asked.

Here are some pics of the supercharger and serial number. Note the rust in the pulleys, they have not turned a belt in many a year.

[Gary Hearn]

The RS engine would be correct for a R-2 Avanti. You can order the build sheet for your car for $40 from the Studebaker National Museum which will confirm that it was built with the engine you have now..

[stude8]

Glad you listened to the advice about the blower, it looks in decent shape but is too valuable to risk a dirty start with. The pulley will need a glass bead or power wire wheel cleanup before use. In the old days the blower belts were sold in matched pairs to equalize the load between them.

Have you ever driven a supercharged car? You are in for an exciting experience if you haven't. Blown engines only get more powerful the higher the RPM they crank.

A 4 speed R2 is a thriller coming out of 2nd gear with positive pressure in the manifold. You will learn why they invented "Intercoolers" for newer turbo charged cars. The compressed intake air gets hot, REAL HOT. You don't want to keep the blower RPM high for long periods, the internal lube gets over heated easily.

At one time I added a remote blower oil cooler (ala Lark heater core) to help. Eventually I converted it to a remote electric fuel pump lube system because we had shimmed the inner race clutch cage to get higher boost for drag racing. The inner races only lasted 6 or 8 months but it was a lot of fun during that time. Paxton sold the kits for $19.95 in 1966, it was cheap if you did the work yourself.

You will enjoy this car more than any other you have ever driven.
Stude8

[Avantidon]

John as many will tell you I also own not one but two Avantis and possibly a third one soon. If you see this I will be in Hershey starting tomorrow, possibly late Friday and all day Saturday and will attempt to look you up. If no one has said so there are two very important books you need to purchase. One is an Avanti Service Manual and the other which is just as important as the first is by Stan Gundy as is called "What the Shop Manual Won't Tell You." It is all Avanti tips and will save you time effort and grief. The other ting you need to do is join the Avanti Owners Association International (AOAI). You can find an application at Avanti Owners Association International - Home Page. If I can help you please let me know. I currently serve on the AACA's 2nd Generation Collector Vehicle Committee and am President of The Lehigh Valley Region AACA

[unimogjohn]

Don, thanks, will look for the Stan Gundy book, have the factory service manual and looking for the illustrated parts book. They are on Ebay, but pricey.

We drove three and a half hours to Hershey, PA; and dropped off the carb to be rebuilt. Did not find any parts that I could use. We had a good time looking at all the stuff and all the cars for sale. The wind really kicked up and everyone ran for cover. We left around 3 PM and headed for home.

Our package from StudebakerParts came so now I have all new belts and radiator hoses. The hoses will go on tomorrow. Cut the old ones off yesterday, and they were well used and nasty. Also got a call that the battery is in, so will head to town tomorrow and pick that up along with a J hook, gear oil for the rear end, and new battery cables.

With the battery in I will be able to at least see what is working or not. I have noticed that the wires to the parking/turn signal lights are cut, why? No clue. Also the wires to the horn and brake light were also disconnected. Will give a report tomorrow.

[Gary Hearn]

John,

Typically Studebaker parts are hard to find at the larger swap meets. There is an all Studebaker swap meet in Reedsville, PA on November 20 & 21. If you can hold out until March 4-6, there is a large swap meet in York, PA.

Gary

[unimogjohn]

I am all done for a few days, waiting for parts, and have to get a 23 Buick ready for a show.

But here is what I did today:
Picked up and put in the new Interstate Battery and cables, fit perfect.
Installed the two radiator hoses to include new clamps, refilled with water, no leaks.
Drained and refilled the rear axle.
Installed new vacuum lines to distributer and supercharger.
Ordered many more parts to include new spark plugs.
Ordered new KBR shocks, front and rear.

With the new battery was able to test out the electrics. Everything is working except:

Radio, has light, no sound.
Horn, (well it works when you depress the turn signal to turn left)
Turn signals
Brake light
Instrument lights
Fuel gauge
Clock

Now I know why the turn signal wires were cut, because of the horn. It must be the connection inside the steering wheel. Will investigate, but everything else is good, but they all need cleaning and adjusting.

Decided to check the spark plug wiring, found one wire off and also a plug loose. Pulled it and it looks terrible so ordered some Autolite AP85s. I have a receipt for the wires, distributer cap, and rotor. They are new, err well five years ago, but they have seen little running time. So will leave them for now.

Here are a couple of pics to include the parts installed today. Used some Goof Off to take off a bit of the black paint from the seat to see the original red. Why they changed red to black is a mystery to me. At some point next year we will have the car repainted and a new interior made. Right now we do not have an ideas what it will be. I am leaning to Avanti Red and red interior as original, but then it is the bride's car, it will be her choice.

At some point I will tally up what I have spent in getting the car started and rolling under her own power, and post it here. Just to give everyone an idea as to what to expect in bringing a car back to life.

Any recommendations for a radio repair shop?